Our new Bible instructor is with us. Are you acquainted with her?" asked the assistant pastor of our large church here at headquarters. We felt that we should know her—and we did. How pleased we were that the conference had arranged for us to have her services, for the church had long needed a Bible instructor, a woman who could devote her entire time to following up the interest created by soul-winning laymen. Perhaps an even more urgent need for her at this particular time was the prospect of public evangelism in the midst of us.
The entire Adventist worker group is a beautiful fellowship. It is a family affair with much good will, and loyalty to the cause and to one another. Our workers everywhere share a sense of duty to the church or institution they work for. The arrival of a new worker should never be passed over casually. And so we have been doing some thinking about our new Bible instructor—a widowed minister's wife who has spent many years in evangelism.
Reflecting on these worker transfers, we remembered from our own experience what is involved in relocating. Younger workers usually enjoy changes, and a consciousness that the Lord is leading enables all—the young and the more mature—to make light of the discomforts produced by transfers. Some of these changes are not from choice; itinerating seems to be the lot of the diligent worker. Nevertheless we can still say that we value our calling very highly, and we grow with our work. But we cannot hide the fact that the emotions are involved in every transfer while lessons on speedy relocating are learned.
On entering a new field a worker must win the confidence of his associates. No one is better fitted to help the new Bible instructor than her directing pastor. After he has introduced her to the church she may relax, for she now knows she is wanted. And doesn't that mean a great deal during the period of initiation into a new area of service? Not that Bible instructors are lonely women—they are not; but they are human.
These introduction courtesies speak to the hearts of all new workers, especially women Bible instructors.
A wise pastor will shield his Bible instructor from becoming overwhelmed with church work —work that the deaconesses and Dorcas workers can handle so well. The Bible instructor has been called to work for non-Adventists, and her specialized talent in this direction should be well guarded and highly appreciated. When her responsibilities are confined to making new contacts for the message and following up doctrinal interests, her services to the church become invaluable. An occasional emergency may require her to deviate from this pattern, but that will be the exception, not the rule.
On the other hand, the newly arrived Bible instructor should be friendly with the church members. This general friendliness evades church cliques and is wholesome. While her Bible work will keep her more than busy, she will welcome the opportunity to exchange a few words about the church whenever she meets the members in town or elsewhere, and this will endear her to the whole membership. Her thoughtful care and gentle touch will be a balm to many troubled hearts.
A Bible instructor must look to her associate pastor for direction in handling her calls and Bible studies. In a well-organized church program the pastor will set aside a regular time for counseling with his assistants. It will also be necessary to counsel briefly over the telephone, for our workers must keep in touch with their work. Although the Bible instructor concentrates on finding new interests, it is important that she be kept acquainted with business within the church.
Bible Work in Evangelism
Without an active evangelistic program throughout the year the church would become stagnant. Where there is life there is growth. What then is the Bible instructor's role when the conference appoints a temporary evangelist to do a special soul-winning work? That might depend upon the nature of the campaign; but there should immediately be a clear understanding so as to avoid any possible confusion. The Bible instructor must learn from the pastor what service will be expected of her during this special period. (The pastor receives direction from the conference.)
Here again the instructor should be properly introduced to the evangelistic audience she will be establishing contact with in the homes of the community. She is advantaged by finding wide open doors. And at this stage of the campaign another important point should receive attention: The interest previously cared for by the Bible instructor should now be merged into the present campaign. This soul-winning practice should receive consideration when new work is distributed.
Ministerial and evangelistic workers should conduct themselves as Christians; men and women who are so closely associated in their work must be trustworthy. No question should be raised when occasionally it is necessary for the pastor and the Bible instructor to meet in the home of a person who is making a decision for the message. A visit of this nature should be regarded on the same basis as the doctor's visit in company with the nurse when the patient needs the help of both. Where younger workers are concerned it would be the part of wisdom for the pastor to drop in for a visit after the Bible instructor has begun her instruction. It is expected that the pastor will become well acquainted with those who will later be baptized by him, and that he will bring to them the security of his shepherding care.
An experienced Bible instructor hardly expects the pastor of a sizable congregation to spend the larger share of his time visiting in the homes of newly interested people. In recent years pastoral responsibilities have greatly increased. The pastor is therefore dependent upon a competent home visitor for this help. But the true shepherd will keep his eyes on some of "his own" sheep who need to be brought into the fold. Both he and the Bible instructor are busy people.
Bible instructors seem to be happiest when working with pastor-evangelists. When evangelism is constant rather than spasmodic, the machinery moves forward without friction and noise. There is then little danger that the personal worker will become tied up with deaconess or church office work. The pastor will seek a way through some of these office pressures, sparing her for Bible work. That is her most productive talent and he must capitalize on it.
A woman's skillful touch in personal work is a blessing to the church. Her gentle spirit, kind ways, and Christian culture; her judgment and intuition, Bible knowledge, and persuasive powers bring health and growth to the church. Would that the denomination had several hundreds of Bible instructors to add to its worker force!
L. C. K.
